Duo standing 7-foot-3 and 6-10 will have teams looking up to China at women’s FIBA World Cup

Opponents preparing for the women's FIBA World Cup will need to adjust their strategies, as China's towering duo of Zhang Ziyu and Han Xu will dominate the proceedings. The 19-year-old Zhang, who stands at a staggering 7-foot-3, will be a formidable presence for any team facing China. The United States, ever the competition, is no exception after their 83-61 victory over China in the 2022 World Cup final.

US teammate Han Xu, a 6-10 center from the WNBA's New York Liberty, is also well-acquainted with Zhang's towering height after facing her in WNBA games. However, a passport mishap has prevented Zhang from joining another potential center, 6-7 Li Yueru of the WNBA's Dallas Wings. Li expressed her disappointment on social media, stating that her passport was lost in the mail, making her unable to compete.

China opens their campaign against the four-time defending champions in Berlin on Friday. Zhang missed China's pre-tournament warmup against France on Tuesday and wasn't practicing during the brief media slots on Wednesday and Thursday, but if she does play, her height alone will be a significant advantage. Her mother's encouragement and her own experience have helped Zhang mature quickly, making her ready to face the world stage.

Han, the team's elder player at 26, will guide Zhang and looks forward to watching her rise to stardom on the global stage. If Zhang makes it to the match against the US, her towering presence will undoubtedly make her a standout player. The US, led by Sonia Citron, will be ready to match Zhang's height with a team effort, ensuring that no one is left on an island. Despite the presence of these towering giants, China's past performance in the World Cup suggests they'll still have a challenging task ahead.